Why are the poll results are private? It would be helpful to see what our neighbors are thinking about this important issue.
John Caballero - 12 years ago
Bravo! You are going to control obesity by limiting the size of the soda that will wash down 3000 calories worth of a Bic Mack, large french fries, chicken McNuggets and an apple pie! Really healthy eating! And what about the many McDonalds, Burger Kings, and many other establishments where you pour your own beverage and can refill as many times as you wish! Is there going to be a refill patrol counting the times you go back and total ounces you refill? While rent prices are skyrocketing, unemployment and under employment is rampant our great mayor is fighting to reduce the size of a soda. What a joke.
Nuyorican Knight - 12 years ago
It is a know fact American proportions have been increasing radically over the years. Were we "slaves" with our 1970's portions? I think not.....we were just thinner and probably healthier. This is a silly start to a serious topic, but the deep rooted nature of the problem makes absolutely every start at dealing with this monumental problem arbitrary, ineffectual and silly at first.
Maybe he should have just taxed food with no nutritional value, but I know using zoning laws against an inordinate number of fast/junk food establishments in an area was defeated, as well as using the FDA to ban the use of food stamps was also denied.
Society has always regulated things we deem potentially dangerous......medicines, liquor, cigarettes, trans-fats..... and the question is whether something that has no nutritional value has that same danger as those products. To me that is the question and I think the answer is yes...................but
My only problem with that effort is that it is one-sided and a very patrician approach to a complex problem. It is a wealthy upper east sider telling poor broke spanish harlemites what they can eat. Ok. But what about healthy living? Do Harlemites have access to quality facilities in randalls island where they can play baseball, walk to the parks, and do the things that would lead to a better healthier life? Not when bloomberg has given that valuable parkspace away to upper east side prep schools for their enjoyment.
Fernando Marulanda - 12 years ago
As a lifelong resident both born and raised in East Harlem/Spanish Harlem I have seen the effects of "junk food" in our community. I am also a Chef and obese by definition. I am also a very progressive oriented Latino that recognizes the need for government to sustain organizations that help the community , such as any CBO like the Childrens Aid Society. With this being said, I am astounded that my own community soiunds like a right wing pseudo-libertarian complaining about government infringing on their freedom as they wave their flag saying "don't tread on me." Are we not in the same community? Do we not see the damage that certain things do? Walk down 3rd avenue and see young girls and mothers, and fathers all grossly overweight. Am imagining this? Absolutely not. We have lost the days of personal responsibility and now need government to help guide us. Government can't solve all the problems but it can set a tone and create a counter culture. I've grown to see many in my community complain about actions the governement takes or doesn't take but they dont take personal responsibility of their own. I come from a very progressive family but that didnt exempt me from my own actions. We blame the NYPD for stop and frisk but now where is the outrage for the deaths in our community by members in our own community? (I mention this as an ex-convict and registered Democrat) These same people will complain about government but then will not see any problem in using government resources to get medical treatment later on for things that they couldve helped to prevent. Diabetes and weight related ills are rampant in our community. I say that who ever chooses to drink these sodas should sign a waiver stating that they will not seek treatment for conditions directly related to this consumption. Government can't be or should not be expected to take care or legislate every part of our lives but its a good start to help people make some sense. Its like when Bloomberg passed the smoking ban, everyone complained and that business would be down but it turned out to be the contrary. People still go to bars and even more so now and there are less smoking related deaths. Lets just be sensible and be open to things that benefit our health. As an asthmatic I need to protest against the government because the statistics prove that we have the highest levels of asthma in the state and country particularly the south bronx and east harlem, so I protest and will keep protesting. But when it comes to my fat ass not having discipline enough to make the right choice that puts a burden on the rest. The problem is as I stated that most people don't have the discipline. Plus it is a hypocritical stand when we complain that there arent enough healthy food alternative and we try to start farmers markets on 99th st or wherever. Get healthy and be truly independent and free.
J. Jones - 12 years ago
The Board of Health/NYC Dept. of Health exists to better the health of all New Yorkers so I feel that this latest effort, i.e., the soda ban, may help in fight against obesity.
Why are the poll results are private? It would be helpful to see what our neighbors are thinking about this important issue.
Bravo! You are going to control obesity by limiting the size of the soda that will wash down 3000 calories worth of a Bic Mack, large french fries, chicken McNuggets and an apple pie! Really healthy eating! And what about the many McDonalds, Burger Kings, and many other establishments where you pour your own beverage and can refill as many times as you wish! Is there going to be a refill patrol counting the times you go back and total ounces you refill? While rent prices are skyrocketing, unemployment and under employment is rampant our great mayor is fighting to reduce the size of a soda. What a joke.
It is a know fact American proportions have been increasing radically over the years. Were we "slaves" with our 1970's portions? I think not.....we were just thinner and probably healthier. This is a silly start to a serious topic, but the deep rooted nature of the problem makes absolutely every start at dealing with this monumental problem arbitrary, ineffectual and silly at first.
Maybe he should have just taxed food with no nutritional value, but I know using zoning laws against an inordinate number of fast/junk food establishments in an area was defeated, as well as using the FDA to ban the use of food stamps was also denied.
Society has always regulated things we deem potentially dangerous......medicines, liquor, cigarettes, trans-fats..... and the question is whether something that has no nutritional value has that same danger as those products. To me that is the question and I think the answer is yes...................but
My only problem with that effort is that it is one-sided and a very patrician approach to a complex problem. It is a wealthy upper east sider telling poor broke spanish harlemites what they can eat. Ok. But what about healthy living? Do Harlemites have access to quality facilities in randalls island where they can play baseball, walk to the parks, and do the things that would lead to a better healthier life? Not when bloomberg has given that valuable parkspace away to upper east side prep schools for their enjoyment.
As a lifelong resident both born and raised in East Harlem/Spanish Harlem I have seen the effects of "junk food" in our community. I am also a Chef and obese by definition. I am also a very progressive oriented Latino that recognizes the need for government to sustain organizations that help the community , such as any CBO like the Childrens Aid Society. With this being said, I am astounded that my own community soiunds like a right wing pseudo-libertarian complaining about government infringing on their freedom as they wave their flag saying "don't tread on me." Are we not in the same community? Do we not see the damage that certain things do? Walk down 3rd avenue and see young girls and mothers, and fathers all grossly overweight. Am imagining this? Absolutely not. We have lost the days of personal responsibility and now need government to help guide us. Government can't solve all the problems but it can set a tone and create a counter culture. I've grown to see many in my community complain about actions the governement takes or doesn't take but they dont take personal responsibility of their own. I come from a very progressive family but that didnt exempt me from my own actions. We blame the NYPD for stop and frisk but now where is the outrage for the deaths in our community by members in our own community? (I mention this as an ex-convict and registered Democrat) These same people will complain about government but then will not see any problem in using government resources to get medical treatment later on for things that they couldve helped to prevent. Diabetes and weight related ills are rampant in our community. I say that who ever chooses to drink these sodas should sign a waiver stating that they will not seek treatment for conditions directly related to this consumption. Government can't be or should not be expected to take care or legislate every part of our lives but its a good start to help people make some sense. Its like when Bloomberg passed the smoking ban, everyone complained and that business would be down but it turned out to be the contrary. People still go to bars and even more so now and there are less smoking related deaths. Lets just be sensible and be open to things that benefit our health. As an asthmatic I need to protest against the government because the statistics prove that we have the highest levels of asthma in the state and country particularly the south bronx and east harlem, so I protest and will keep protesting. But when it comes to my fat ass not having discipline enough to make the right choice that puts a burden on the rest. The problem is as I stated that most people don't have the discipline. Plus it is a hypocritical stand when we complain that there arent enough healthy food alternative and we try to start farmers markets on 99th st or wherever. Get healthy and be truly independent and free.
The Board of Health/NYC Dept. of Health exists to better the health of all New Yorkers so I feel that this latest effort, i.e., the soda ban, may help in fight against obesity.